A compact bachelor pad is transformed into a dark, refined sanctuary — where stainless steel, moody textures, and a reconfigured layout create a space that is bold and deeply personal.
9 July 2025
Home Type: 2-bedroom condominium unit
Floor Area: 795sqft
Text by Olha Romaniuk
Tucked within the urban surrounds of Sennett Residence, this 795-square-foot condominium has been reimagined as a sleek bachelor’s retreat defined by bold materiality and deliberate restraint. Designed for a finance professional with a fast-paced, travel-heavy lifestyle, the apartment reflects a sharp sense of style — layering dark finishes, stainless steel accents, and tailored details into a compact yet highly personalised space.
Working with a design brief that leaned into dark palettes, industrial finishes, and stainless steel as a dominant material, designer Vanessa Song of Indoor Art Studio orchestrated a transformation that went beyond aesthetics. The space was restructured for both function and atmosphere, with a layout that prioritises flow, privacy, and a distinctly masculine elegance.
Originally, the unit followed a conventional layout with a kitchen placed near the entrance and the living area tucked deeper into the plan. While functional, the flow felt fragmented. Recognising this disconnect, Vanessa reconfigured the spatial sequence by flipping the two zones: relocating the living room near the entrance and pushing the kitchen toward the balcony.
“This layout also allowed the kitchen to benefit from more natural light and a stronger connection to the outdoor space, which elevated the overall experience,” says Vanessa.
Anchoring this new configuration is a floating island clad in Bellus sintered stone (Marquina Black Matt finish). Durable and visually rich, the surface sets the tone for the home’s refined material language. Equipped with an OBRO invisible stove and integrated hood, the island offers a clean, uninterrupted surface that enhances both culinary function and visual clarity.
Other functional elements include a Franke sink, seamlessly embedded into the dark-toned worktop. Overhead, a soft, curved ceiling detail creates a visual pause, softening the space and breaking the monotony of linear forms.
While the spatial sequence has been dramatically reimagined, the experience of arrival remains quietly deliberate. The entrance door is wrapped in a “magic wrap” that lets it disappear into the cabinetry. A brushed metal QLOCKTWO clock acts as a sculptural timepiece and poetic anchor, underscoring the home’s minimal but meaningful aesthetic.
The living space exudes a quiet strength, built on contrasts between raw and refined. The television wall is finished in cement screed, offering a gritty counterpoint to soft furnishings and curated lighting. A standout design feature is a vertical slatted feature wall that stretches from the study to the master bedroom — visually cohesive and functionally smart, it conceals two hidden doors within its geometry.
The balcony is not an afterthought but a critical extension of the home. Its flooring is finished in Porousway’s pebble wash, a natural and tactile surface blurring the boundaries between the interior and the exterior. “We chose to deliberately soften the transition between indoor and outdoor while subtly anchoring the darker tones used throughout the home,” explains Vanessa.
The master bedroom continues the palette of deep tones and metallic accents. A custom bedhead clad in EDL’s Dark Silver Brush stainless steel laminate introduces a layer of sophistication, its reflective surface catching and softening ambient light. Above, a ceiling-mounted wardrobe rail extends the sense of openness while keeping floor space visually clear — a nod to both form and function.
In the powder room, thoughtful material play continues. Here, a matte black Franke basin and tap sit against a dark countertop, creating a moody contrast. The space is further elevated by rustic metal-look tiles that wrap the walls, introducing warmth and texture. Lighting is handled with nuance — a soft LED panel wrapped in fabric offers gentle diffusion, highlighting materials without casting harsh shadows.
One of the project’s biggest challenges lay in balancing the bold, industrial palette with a sense of warmth and liveability. Stainless steel, deep charcoal tones, and hard surfaces can easily feel sterile or overwhelming. This was countered with strategic layering — curved architectural elements, soft lighting, and textured finishes all work together to create depth without sacrificing the strong, modern character of the home.
Ultimately, this apartment is more than just a bachelor pad — it’s a curated environment that reflects the lifestyle and discernment of its owner. With its immersive palette, thoughtful layout, and deliberate restraint, the space achieves what many homes attempt but few master: personality through precision.
Indoor Art Studio
www.indoorart.co
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